The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States – nonprofit leaders, policymakers, labor leaders, business leaders, educators, academics, and more – and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America.

Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for regular updates on our work.

A Guide to Upskilling America’s Frontline Workers
Publications

A Guide to Upskilling America’s Frontline Workers

This report was created to guide employers in their efforts to advance the skills and careers of their frontline workers.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2013
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2013

Released in 2015, the US Microenterprise Census Highlights of 2013 include data from 177 microenterprise organizations across the country.

EntrepreneurTracker Client Outcomes Highlights – 2013
Publications

EntrepreneurTracker Client Outcomes Highlights – 2013

This brief summarizes outcomes reported by microenterprise clients regarding 2013.

The Second Year of Accelerating Opportunity
Publications

The Second Year of Accelerating Opportunity

Accelerating Opportunity aims to increase the ability of students with low basic skills to earn valued occupational credentials, obtain a well-paying job, and sustain a rewarding career.

Improving Jobs to Improve Care
Publications

Improving Jobs to Improve Care

One of the biggest workforce challenges we face as a country is how to meet the growing demands for home care workers.

Microbusinesses, Gainful Jobs
Publications

Microbusinesses, Gainful Jobs

This updated report shares expanded findings on the quality of jobs created by microbusiness program clients.

Next Generation Employer-Engagement Strategies
Publications

Next Generation Employer-Engagement Strategies

Building a Sustainable Business Model
Publications

Building a Sustainable Business Model

The third and final publication from the Asset Building through Credit pilot explores how to sustain delivery of a secured credit card teamed with credit coaching.

Annotated Bibliography Of Resources For Navigators
Publications

Annotated Bibliography Of Resources For Navigators

This annotated bibliography contains links to 28 different resources and guides for college/career navigators.

The First Year of Accelerating Opportunity
Publications

The First Year of Accelerating Opportunity

Accelerating Opportunity aims to increase the ability of students with low basic skills to earn valued occupational credentials, obtain a well-paying job, and sustain a rewarding career.

Client Gains in Credit Scores and Financial Capability
Publications

Client Gains in Credit Scores and Financial Capability

The second publication in this series highlighting the findings from the Asset Building through Credit Pilot details the outcomes of 385 secured cardholders in terms of credit scores and financial behaviors.

Asset Building through Credit – Credit Scores + Financial Behavior
Publications

Asset Building through Credit – Credit Scores + Financial Behavior

Outcomes on credit scores and financial behaviors of microentrepreneurs who used a secured credit card.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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More from the Economic Opportunities Program

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings
Publications

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

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Podcasts Videos

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

This conversation is part of our Opportunity in America series, where we take a look at the economy, what’s working, what’s broken, and really how we fix it to make sure that everyone can succeed in today’s economy.

Resource Roundup: Wages and Affordability
Blog Posts
Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis
Publications

Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes
Podcasts Videos

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes

Economic security shouldn’t be a lottery. Yet for millions of working families, stagnant wages and precarious jobs collide with the daily grind of managing money on shaky ground — leaving stability feeling less like a plan and more like a gamble. Fixing that takes more than one lever. It takes structural reform and the tools people need to take control of their financial lives, working together.

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers
Publications

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

Insights from Focus Groups with Employee Owners